Jennifer Slattery Textiles

A contemporary Dublin textile studio creating embroidered Irish linen homeware, table linen, gifts and womenswear, combining traditional Irish materials with a modern design language and a strong commitment to small-batch, thoughtful production.

Jennifer Slattery has built one of Dublin’s most distinctive independent textile studios around a simple idea: everyday objects should be beautiful enough to keep, use and eventually pass on. From embroidered napkins and table runners to Irish linen dresses, shirts, scarves and limited-edition pieces, the work sits comfortably between craft, fashion and contemporary Irish design.

The studio’s connection to textiles began long before the business itself. Jennifer’s early childhood in Zambia exposed her to vivid colour, pattern and handmade objects, while back in Ireland she was influenced by her grandmother’s instinct for dressing well and setting a table with care. After studying Graphic Design and working professionally as a designer, Jennifer returned to education to study Embroidery and Textiles at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. That combination of graphic discipline and textile craft still shapes the work today.

Embroidery is central to the studio’s identity. Designs typically begin as hand drawings on paper before being developed into stitched compositions. The best-known collections reinterpret traditional table-linen motifs in a more contemporary way: cutlery, wildflowers, botanicals and other finely observed details are translated into embroidery on Irish linen. The result feels recognisably Irish without relying on obvious souvenir imagery.

Irish linen is one of the studio’s defining materials. Jennifer works closely with Irish weavers and suppliers, using linen for tablecloths, napkins, runners, clothing and gift sets. The fabric is valued not only for its provenance but for its strength, breathability and ability to improve with use. Many pieces are designed specifically to become long-term household or wardrobe staples rather than short-lived seasonal purchases.

Donegal tweed and Irish wool also feature within the wider material story. Collaborations with Irish mills and makers allow the studio to draw on Ireland’s textile heritage while keeping the finished designs contemporary. This network of relationships extends across Dublin, Donegal, Down, Wexford and other parts of Ireland, reflecting a deliberate preference for collaboration with specialist local suppliers and manufacturers.

The home collection is particularly strong for gifting. Embroidered Irish linen napkins, table runners, tablecloths and personalised gift sets work well for weddings, anniversaries, new homes and family occasions. Selected products can be personalised, while the presentation and packaging make the range suitable for sending as a distinctly Irish gift to family and friends abroad.

Jennifer’s womenswear extends the same philosophy into clothing. Linen shirts, dresses, skirts, trousers and limited-edition embroidered pieces are designed around relaxed silhouettes, natural fabrics and longevity rather than fast-moving trends. Many styles are produced in small quantities or made to order, and the studio’s approach places emphasis on versatility, careful construction and pieces that can be worn across seasons.

It is worth noting that production can vary by individual item. The studio’s core home textiles and many collections are made and hand-finished in Ireland, while some selected garments may use Irish-woven fabric with specialist manufacturing partners outside Ireland. W.ie therefore recommends checking individual product details where exact country-of-manufacture provenance is important.

The studio itself is part of the experience. Jennifer Slattery is based at The Old Butcher’s Studios, 74 Benburb Street in Smithfield, Dublin 7. The small, light-filled shop is also a working studio, with the central worktable used for design development, sampling, embroidery and order preparation. Visitors can browse the collections, try on clothing and see elements of the creative process at close quarters.

The location makes it particularly easy to include in a Dublin design and shopping itinerary. Smithfield is within walking distance of the city centre, and the studio sits among an increasingly interesting mix of independent businesses, cultural spaces and historic streets. For visitors interested in contemporary Irish craft, it offers something very different from a conventional retail experience.

The business is intentionally small and places strong emphasis on quality over quantity. Small-batch production, made-to-order pieces, responsible use of fabric offcuts and recyclable packaging all form part of the studio’s approach. The aim is not simply to make more products, but to make pieces that remain useful and relevant for years.

Jennifer Slattery’s work has also received wider recognition within Irish design. The studio is included in the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Made Local network, and the Jennifer Slattery Kate Dress was a category winner at the 2024 IDI Awards. The business has also been highlighted in Irish and international design and travel coverage, helping introduce contemporary Irish linen to audiences beyond Ireland.

Why W.ie chose Jennifer Slattery: Jennifer Slattery represents a particularly strong version of modern Irish craft: deeply connected to Irish linen, Donegal tweed and local makers, but expressed through clean, contemporary design rather than nostalgia. The studio combines homeware, clothing, embroidery, gifting and a real working-space experience in central Dublin. For W.ie, it is exactly the kind of business that helps demonstrate that Irish-made can be sophisticated, useful, internationally relevant and genuinely rooted in local materials and skills.